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Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/phil-leith/ok-campfire-strummerVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g82_PKtKEfkOriginal Demo (a few hours after I wrote it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF-tjUB2_usAfter finishing my album last fall I've been pursuing other things and have been away from songwriting and recording/producing... I did one sometime in the last year ... a little spoof on "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" only about our annual camp/float trips. At any rate, the other night I was talking to a couple brothers and a visiting cousin and my older brother brought up the fact that I play guitar... and I gave the answer I usually give ... "Well, sort of. I'm not terribly good, I'm just an OK 'Campfire Strummer'" ... which seems to be a common term for the level right above "beginner". He said "that ought to be a song". And I said, "You're right." Couple days later I sat down and wrote this ... in about an hour. If it sounds like a lot of other songs ("Family Tradition", "Nashville Cats", "Gimme Three Steps", etc) that's because it's a traditional Country/Blues song form ... First song I've produced in my new "Little Corner Studio", which has been moved from our master bedroom into a guest bedroom we've converted to my office/studio/guest bedroom since COVID. Anyway, here it is... ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Campfire Strummer File:Campfire Strummer.SGU Key=A , Tempo 130, Length (m:s)=3:08 No intro. 98 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 98. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is _CSWNGMD.STY (Country Swing Medium-Fast) RealTracks in style: ~539:Bass, Electric, Pop Sw 120 RealTracks in style: ~372:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Hank Sw 120 RealTracks in style: ~974:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountrySwingCleanA-B Sw 140 RealTracks in style: ~977:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountrySwingGrittyA-B Sw 140 RealTracks in song: 1872:Fiddle, Soloist WesternSwingAndy Sw 165 (Bluesy) RealDrums [in style:NashvilleSwing8^3-a:Snare, OpenHat , b:Snare, Ride And then me on a little finger-picking and a busted string ... and some acoustic strumming which is very subdued in the background later in the song ... because ... I'm only an "OK" campfire strummer. My BIAB peeps do a much better job. Pulled it all into Reaper to finish it all up with mixing and recording the additional tracks. OK Campfire Strummer Phil Leith 8/21/21 Well I've come so far just learnin' guitar And I'm better than I thought I'd be I got a late start I'll never tear it apart But I can't let it frustrate me I'm only so-so never be a virtuoso And sometimes I think that's a bummer But I can get by without bein' too shy As an OK campfire strummer I'm a little bit sloppy, and I can get off-beat But I'll just have to plow on through What I lack in flash I make up for in passion And a sustained chord or two I can still win if you can rein me in With a bass man and a drummer Ain't no Pollyanna never be Santana Just an OK campfire strummer Messin' around, makin' that sound Playin' calypso or swing I'm havin' a blast, just makin' it last But I hope I don't bust a string My friends seem to love it when I play Jimmy Buffett Or a John Denver song or three And I can be gentle with a quiet instrumental Finger-picking amateur-al-ly But they can't sing along if I play my own songs Though I might try to slip in a number I might sing too loud, but I ain't too proud I'm just an OK campfire strummer [And I'm alright with that Pick on my friend! No, don't stop now, you're doin' just fine! What's that key change? Ah, never mind, I'll just fake it 'til I make it] I might sing too loud, but I ain't too proud I'm just an OK campfire strummer
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Joined: Jan 2013
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Howdy Phil.... I gave it a listen. Well conceived subject matter. Good lyrics that developed the subject and kept me interested. You have a good voice and you performed in a relaxed, convincing, easy going manner. Good job on this one....good luck with your music endeavors. Huh...this would make a good 'campfire song' when you get the opportunity.  Carry on....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/24/21 09:35 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2016
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Phil,
it's a nice country strum. The melody, story and tempo make me reckon this would be a cracker as a rockabilly tune.
Cool.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,761 |
That was fantastic! Loved it!
Everything about this song is perfect. Your vocal was outstanding. Your lyrics super (have you been spying on me?) and the mix was spot on.
Two thumbs up
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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i like the character of your vocs. very cute lyrics.
liked the stop. also liked the talking before the end.
in summary this song is very well done...imho
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Phil,
This sounds really good! Great concept and the tune fits the subject matter perfectly! Clever lyrics and a super job on the vocals! Enjoyed it all the way! Thanks, Torrey
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Phil, A good write. Clever. Nice internal rhymes throughout... A good BAND to help out the stummin' Nice vocals. Well mixed. Good to see you back... fj
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Nice backstory, sometimes you just need few words to get a good inspiration. And it turned out to a very nice song, good old country swing with positive lyrics, "What I lack in flash I make up for in passion". Enjoyed the vocals too.
Janne
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Thank you all ... I had a blast doing it.
I need to get my creative back on. I kind of burned myself out in 2020 working on the album and though I still played for fun, I pretty much stayed out of the studio. And though it's still approximately the same size and occupies the same tiny space only in another room, it's new and improved in that it's dedicated and it has sound tiles (you can kind of see it in the video, although the computer and monitor and such are behind the camera (well the computer IS the camera :-) )
This was so much fun it just might do the trick. I have a couple of Christmas songs I want to release on a "single" ... it's about time I get working on those if I want them polished and "in the system" by November.
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This was a well rounded song, Fantastic vocals that lead the song throughout and not the other way around, just a good old tune with enough in and out instruments then the vocals .
A killer !
Thanks
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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I really like the song Phil.
I watched the video and thought "hey I want to do that too!" So that is a good inspirational thing.
Very clever lyrics and rhyming.
Well done!
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Hi Phil,
I am honestly not an expert in country music, but your song sounds good to me and it is definitely one I would enjoy listening to again.
Thanks for sharing,
Will
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LOVE IT, Phil! Right from the idea. It's also the perfect song for a campfire --that is if you're at least a cut above beginner status. Can't wait to hear the sounds out of your new studio setup.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
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